France starts giving COVID vaccine to 12-year-olds

Previously, the youngest age in France was 18, or 16 if the person had underlying conditions, or was in contact with a person vulnerable to the virus.

In wealthy nations worldwide, governments have been expanding their vaccination programs to include younger people, who are less liable than older people to get seriously ill from COVID-19.

But the limit of 12 years in France is one of the lowest of any major European Union state.